ABC7 On Your Side: Free museums

There are some perfect places to spend a day without breaking the bank -- or even spending a dime, for that matter. When people think of fun free things to do in Southern California, the beach, the mountains and bike riding all come to mind. Museums may not be the first places we think of, but you don't have to love ancient history or fine art to appreciate them, and they can be great fun for the whole family. Many never charge a dime, while others offer free admission days once a week or once a month.

It's getting tougher to make ends meet these days, and ABC7 On Your Side is a campaign to help you save money. Watch Eyewitness News for money-saving tips and freebies to help stretch your dollar.

For the science and tech buff, the California Science Center features hands-on exhibits. It's geared for all ages, and it's always free.

The Getty Center in Los Angeles and the Getty Villa in Malibu are two world class museums. Once inside, you can spend a few hours - or all day - enjoying the art and the plush gardens at both locations. While they don't charge admission to get in, both museums charge $8 to park. But you can take public transportation to both places and avoid the parking fee. For the Getty Villa, you do need to make advance reservations to get in, but there's no charge for doing so.

The Huntington Admission to The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens is free to all visitors on the first Thursday of every month with advanced tickets. Hours on Free Day are 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.